Tips on Installing Vinyl Siding

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Maintenance Free

Vinyl siding is tough, durable and maintenance free. It needs nothing more than a rinse from a hose to keep it clean and you never have to paint again. It's a great way to keep your house maintenance free and enhance the look of it.

Hanging vinyl siding

1. Say goodbye to the brush, sweat and tears.

Photo by: Blake Brinkman

Blake Brinkman

Start from Scratch

There are certain materials that you can leave on the house if it's in good shape. However, the best job that money can buy would be to take off what's there, get back to the sheathing, put a house wrap on it, foam and then apply the vinyl siding.

Prep work for vinyl siding

Measure Everything

When measuring your house for siding, do not deduct for windows or doors. Measure it like it's a square from the width -- from the bottom to the top of the peak.

Installing vinyl siding - preparation

Photo by: Blake Brinkman

Blake Brinkman

Work With a Friend

Hanging it from one ladder is extremely difficult. You are dealing with very flimsy pieces. You need at least two ladders and a trusted friend, and if you can get a scaffolding system, that would work even better.

Hanging tips for vinyl siding

Always use a Level

Snap a level line all the way around your house and make sure it's level. The first piece of vinyl you're going to hang is on the starter strip. It will be made of aluminum and it usually comes about 3 inches in width and 12 feet long. It is important to check your level every four or five courses by putting a level on the siding.

Getting started on installing vinyl sidding

Cut the Siding Short

When cutting vinyl siding, it's usually to go into a corner. You need to leave at least 1/4". Whatever your measurement is, take at least 1/4" or 1/8" on both sides for the panel to slide back and forth. If you don't cut your siding short, when it expands in the summer it's going to buckle.

Tips for cutting vinyl siding

Hide the Seams

Always start from the back of the house and work forward toward the street, so seams are now facing the backyard. Make sure you overlap where you have a joint only when necessary. It's important to use the factory edge at the seams. It assures that you get the proper overlap.

Seamless vinyl siding

Hang the Siding

This is one of the most crucial steps in installing vinyl siding. Never nail the siding to your house, hang it. Set your nails about 1/8" to 1/16" away from the wall. You are not going to set it hard. This will allow movement when it expands or contracts.

Installing vinyl siding

Photo by: Blake Brinkman

Blake Brinkman

Add Airflow

When heat builds up in your attic, it can warp your roof. Let that heat escape and keep an even temperature. Vent out your attic by installing perforated soffits with gable vents. Another added bonus would be to get ridge vents that will add airflow through the attic space.

Installing perforated soffits and gable vents

Heat is Damaging

Your grill will be your siding's worst enemy. The heat it generates will damage your siding and you will have to replace it. Keep the barbecue as far from your siding as possible.